How do solve problems with SRT files? Troubleshooting with SRT files:

Laetitia
August 19, 2023

An SRT file means SubRip Subtitle file and saves subtitles embedded in a video in a separate text file. Generally, SRT files can be used to store subtitles on DVDs. Later, they can be used for other types of video formats.

SRT files look like this :

<Subtitle#>
<Start time> --> <End time>
<Text> 

or look like this :

00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:06,000 (It is the first line of subtitle)

00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:11,000 (it is the second subtitle)

As you can see, the timing is formatted a particular way : Hours:Minutes: Seconds, Milliseconds. Moreover, hours, minutes, and seconds are always written as two characters (08! and not 8) unlike milliseconds, which are three characters.

What are the common errors with SRT files?

example of correct SRT files

Previously we have shown you what SRT files look like without any errors. Now we will show you what mistakes can be made with your SRT files.

When the timing format is different

0:00:00.000 –> 00:00:06.000

Here you can see that there is the dot instead of the comma before the milliseconds.

Missing (or sometimes wrong) numbering of subtitles in the SRT file:

00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:05,000 (It is the first line of subtitle)

00:00:07,000 --> 00:00:11,000 (it is the second subtitle)

You can see that the missing "2".
"Wrong number" would be if it said 5 (rather than going in an increasing number; 1… 2… 3…

When there are missing spaces in the timing:

00:00:00,000-->00:00:05,000

As you can see, there is a missing space around the arrow, which creates an error.

The spaces between the timeline and the subtitle text:

00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:05,000

Now that we've seen all the common errors you can make with SRT files, don't forget that most standalone players, such as VLC and MPC-HC, have no problem analyzing SRT with syntax errors.

Go further with Checksub

checksub logo, video subtitles and translation

With our Checksub automatic subtitling solution, you can subtitle all your projects with a few clicks. If the automatic result is not good enough for you, feel free to use our ergonomic editor to adjust and adapt the transcription and synchronization.

Otherwise, in case you have a large or complex video volume, you can directly contact our professional our team on our platform to help you with all your different projects.

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